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Weld eyes New York

Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld has had discussions with New York Republican officials about a possible run for governor or the U.S. Senate next year in the state where he has lived since 2000, a top Republican official said yesterday.

The party official, speaking to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, said there have been staff-level discussions between the two camps and direct conversations between at least one other top Republican official and Mr. Weld.

The primary interest is in Mr. Weld's running for New York governor, the source said.

The talks between Mr. Weld and New York Republican officials were first reported yesterday by New York Magazine in the issue that hits newsstands today. The weekly said Mr. Weld has been telling associates that Republican leaders approached him about running.

New York Republican Party Chairman Stephen Minarik said yesterday that he had not met with Mr. Weld about running for statewide office in 2006 and would not comment further.

Grams bows out

Citing the potential for a divisive campaign ahead, former Sen. Rod Grams, Minnesota Republican, said yesterday that he is ending his bid to return to the Senate in 2006.

Mr. Grams told the Associated Press that although he thought he still could win the Republican nomination for the seat he lost to Democratic Sen. Mark Dayton in 2000, he knew it would be a tough battle within the party. Mr. Dayton has said he will not seek re-election.